An electronic device includes a display panel displaying an image, an input sensor disposed on the display panel, and a sensor controller electrically connected to the input sensor. The sensor controller provides search signals to the input sensor in a first search period in a first input sensing frame in a first mode, senses a first input provided by an input device through the input sensor in the first mode, generates an integrated signal using a sensing signal and one of the search signals, provides the integrated signal to the input sensor in an integrated sensing period in a second input sensing frame in a second mode, and senses a second input in the second mode. The search signals are communicated through different protocols, respectively.
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3. The electronic device of claim 2, wherein the at least one integrated signal comprises a first integrated sensing signal and a second integrated sensing signal, wherein the sensor controller generates the first integrated sensing signal using characteristics of the first search signal and characteristics of the sensing signal, wherein the sensor controller generates the second integrated sensing signal using characteristics of the second search signal and the characteristics of the sensing signal, wherein the integrated sensing period comprises a first sensing period and a second sensing period, wherein the sensor controller provides the first integrated sensing signal to the input sensor in the first sensing period, and wherein the sensor controller provides the second integrated sensing signal to the input sensor in the second sensing period.
4. The electronic device of claim 3, wherein the integrated sensing period further comprises a first synchronization period and a second synchronization period, wherein the first synchronization period precedes the first sensing period, wherein the second synchronization period is positioned between the first sensing period and the second sensing period, wherein the sensor controller provides exactly one of an instance of the first search signal and a first instance of the sensing signal to the input sensor in the first synchronization period, and wherein the sensor controller provides exactly one of an instance of the second search signal and a second instance of the sensing signal to the input sensor in the second synchronization period.
5. The electronic device of claim 2, wherein the at least one integrated signal comprises a first integrated sensing signal, wherein the sensor controller generates the first integrated sensing signal using characteristics of the first search signal and characteristics of the sensing signal, wherein the integrated sensing period comprises a sensing period and a second search period, wherein the sensor controller provides the first integrated sensing signal to the input sensor in the sensing period, and wherein the sensor controller provides the second search signal to the input sensor in the second search period.
6. The electronic device of claim 5, wherein the integrated sensing period further comprises a first synchronization period preceding the first sensing period, and wherein the sensor controller provides exactly one of an instance of the first search signal and an instance of the sensing signal to the input sensor in the first synchronization period.
This invention relates to electronic devices with integrated sensing systems, particularly for improving synchronization between a sensor controller and an input sensor. The problem addressed is ensuring precise timing and coordination between the sensor controller and the input sensor to avoid signal interference or misalignment during sensing operations. The electronic device includes a sensor controller and an input sensor, where the sensor controller generates and provides signals to the input sensor during an integrated sensing period. The integrated sensing period includes a first synchronization period followed by a first sensing period. During the first synchronization period, the sensor controller provides exactly one instance of either a first search signal or a sensing signal to the input sensor. This ensures proper initialization and alignment before the actual sensing operation begins in the first sensing period. The first search signal may be used to detect the presence or state of the input sensor, while the sensing signal is used for actual data acquisition. By restricting the synchronization period to a single signal instance, the system avoids unnecessary signal transmission and reduces power consumption while maintaining accurate timing. This approach is particularly useful in applications requiring precise and efficient sensor coordination, such as touchscreens, proximity sensors, or other input detection systems.
7. The electronic device of claim 2, wherein the second input sensing frame further comprises a waiting period, wherein the sensor controller waits for a third search signal in the waiting period, and wherein the third search signal is communicated through a third protocol different from each of the first protocol and the second protocol.
8. The electronic device of claim 2, wherein the first search period comprises a first uplink period and a second uplink period, wherein the sensor controller provides the first search signal to the input sensor in the first uplink period, wherein the sensor controller provides the second search signal to the input sensor in the second uplink period, and wherein the first uplink period and the second uplink period do not overlap each other in time.
9. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein the first search period further comprises a first response period and a second response period respectively following the first uplink period and the second uplink period, wherein the sensor controller receives a first response signal corresponding to the first search signal or waits for the first response signal, wherein the sensor controller receives a second response signal corresponding to the second search signal or waits for the second response signal, wherein the first response period does not overlap the second uplink period, and wherein the second response period does not overlap the first uplink period.
10. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein the first input sensing frame further comprises a communication period following the first search period, and wherein the sensor controller senses the at least one first input in the communication period.
11. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the communication period comprises a downlink period, wherein the sensor controller performs data communication a first input device supporting the first protocol in the downlink period, wherein the first response signal is received during the first response period, and wherein no second response signal is received during the second response period.
This invention relates to electronic devices with sensor controllers that manage communication between multiple input devices using different protocols. The problem addressed is ensuring efficient and reliable data exchange in systems where devices operate on distinct communication protocols, particularly when one device responds while another does not. The electronic device includes a sensor controller that coordinates communication periods for multiple input devices. During a communication period, the sensor controller allocates a downlink period for transmitting data to a first input device that supports a first protocol. The first input device sends a response signal during a designated first response period after the downlink period. However, no response signal is received from a second input device during its corresponding second response period, indicating the second device either did not receive the transmission or does not support the protocol. This selective response mechanism allows the sensor controller to distinguish between active and inactive devices, optimizing communication efficiency and reducing unnecessary power consumption. The system ensures proper synchronization and data integrity by dynamically adjusting communication parameters based on received responses.
12. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the communication period comprises a downlink period, wherein the sensor controller performs data communication with a second input device supporting the second protocol in the downlink period, wherein no first response signal is received during the first response period, and wherein the second response signal is received during the second response period.
13. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the first response signal is received during the first response period, wherein the second response signal is received during the second response period, wherein the communication period comprises a first downlink period and a second downlink period, wherein the sensor controller performs first data communication with a first input device supporting the first protocol in the first downlink period, and wherein the sensor controller performs second data communication with a second input device supporting the second protocol in the second downlink period.
14. The electronic device of claim 13, wherein the first downlink period does not overlap the second downlink period in time.
15. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the second input sensing frame further comprises a mutual-capacitance sensing period, and wherein the sensor controller provides a mutual-capacitance sensing signal to the input sensor in the mutual- capacitance sensing period.
17. The electronic device of claim 16, wherein the sensor controller transmits instances of the mutual-capacitance sensing signal to some of the first sensing electrodes and receives instances of a reception signal corresponding to the mutual- capacitance sensing signal from some of the second sensing electrodes during the mutual- capacitance sensing period.
18. The electronic device of claim 16, wherein the sensor controller selects either the first sensing electrodes or the second sensing electrodes as selected sensing electrodes and provides instances of the at least one integrated signal to the selected sensing electrodes during the integrated sensing period.
This invention relates to electronic devices with touch-sensitive interfaces, specifically improving signal processing in capacitive touch sensors. The problem addressed is optimizing touch detection by efficiently managing multiple sets of sensing electrodes to reduce power consumption and improve accuracy. The device includes a touch-sensitive display with multiple sensing electrodes, including at least two distinct sets: first sensing electrodes and second sensing electrodes. A sensor controller dynamically selects either the first or second set as the active sensing electrodes based on operational requirements. During an integrated sensing period, the controller provides integrated signal instances to the selected electrodes, allowing the device to focus sensing resources on the active set while ignoring the other. This selective activation reduces unnecessary power consumption and processing overhead, particularly in scenarios where only one set of electrodes is needed for accurate touch detection. The invention also involves generating at least one integrated signal from multiple input signals, which are then distributed to the selected electrodes. This approach enhances signal integrity and touch detection performance by ensuring that only the relevant electrodes receive processed signals. The system may further include a display driver and a touch controller, which coordinate to manage electrode selection and signal distribution efficiently. The overall design improves energy efficiency and responsiveness in touch-sensitive electronic devices.
19. The electronic device of claim 15, wherein the integrated sensing period precedes the mutual-capacitance sensing period in the second input sensing frame.
20. The electronic device of claim 15, wherein the mutual-capacitance sensing period precedes the integrated sensing period in the second input sensing frame.
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June 24, 2021
November 1, 2022
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